Charlotte Jean Vardon

IRONWOOD, Mich. - Charlotte Jean Vardon, 81, of Ironwood, passed away peacefully Saturday, April 4, 2015, at Westgate Nursing, Rehabilitation and Assisted Living Community in Ironwood.

The former Charlotte Jean Murra was born Aug. 25, 1933, in Ironwood, daughter of the late Edward and Julia (Jarabko) Murra. She attended A.L. Norrie Grade School and graduated from St. Ambrose High School in 1951.

On May 17, 1958, she was united in marriage to Richard C. Vardon at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Ironwood. They were happily married for 51 years until his passing on Oct. 3, 2009.

Charlotte was a hard worker and worked most of her life. She worked at Bell Telephone Co. for many years until taking a break to raise her children. When they were old enough she went back to work and worked at Hautamaki's Nursing Home (now Westgate) and Gogebic County Mental Health, retiring from her daughter Juli's home child care business.

Charlotte was a member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood. She had a unique and great sense of humor and loved to joke around and laugh. She had many hobbies, but talents really, knitting, crocheting, needle point, ceramics and decorating, just to name a few. Many people enjoyed the gifts of her talents.

She was very proud of her heritage and prided herself on being a wonderful homemaker. She was an amazing cook and baker, and canned many things from their garden. But, she was especially proud to be a mother to her children and grandmother to her grandchildren and would do anything for them. She will be deeply and forever missed by her family.

Charlotte is survived by her two daughters, Juli (Charles) Anderson and Geri (Alan) Morrison, both of Ironwood; three grandchildren, Andrew Morrison (Veronica Maki), Bessemer, Gabrielle Anderson, San Marcos, Texas, and Blayne Anderson, Ironwood; a special little girl, Bridgette Elizabeth; two brothers, Bernard Murra, Rhinelander, Wis., and Jim (Marilyn) Murra, Hurley, Wis .; a sister, Elizabeth Vukusich, Bessemer; brother-in-law, Michael (Helen) Vardon, Clarkston; sister-in-law, Mary Therese (Edward) Rasmussen, Iron Mountain; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by brothers, Edward, Eugene and William Murra; sisters, Margaret Lockhart and Regina Holgers; brother-in-law, Keith (Marian) Vardon; and sisters-in-law, Ann Catherine Vardon in childhood and Maureen McQuiggin.

Per Charlotte's wishes, cremation has taken place.

Visitation will be held in the St. Joseph Family Room at Our Lady of Peace Church in Ironwood from 10 to 11 a.m., on Friday, April 17, 2015. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Robb Jurkovich, celebrant.

Rite of Committal and interment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood, later this spring.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood. Condolences may be expressed online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.